Second Half Run by Virginia Dooms Wolfpack

Courtesy GoPack.com

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia went on an extended second half run to turn around a double-digit deficit as the Cavaliers beat NC State, 70-67, Tuesday afternoon inside John Paul Jones Arena.

With the loss, NC State falls to 8-5, 1-1 in the ACC while Virginia improves to 8-5, 1-1 in the ACC.

NC State had a 10-point halftime advantage and scored the first two baskets of the second half to take a 43-29 lead, but Virginia responded with a 30-8 run over the next 10 minutes to take a 59-51 lead with 8:02 left to play.

The Cavaliers would eventually grow its lead to as large as 12 points, 67-55, with 5:02 to play, but NC State had one final run it in, holding Virginia without a field goal the rest of the game. NC State closed within 70-67 on a Marcus Hill lay-up with 10 seconds to go. The Pack had the possession arrow so they did not foul right away trying to get a jump ball before eventually fouling a UVA player with 3.9 seconds to play. The Cavaliers missed the front end of the 1-and-1, but Michael O’Connell’s three-point attempt from midcourt was short and UVA held on for a three-point win.

Jayden Taylor led the Pack with 14 points and tied his career-high with five assists. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Hill each added 12 points with Hill adding a game-high eight rebounds.

The Pack shot 61.9 percent in the first half, including 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from three-point range to open up a 39-29 lead over Virginia at the break. NC State had 11 assists on 13 first half field goals.

NC State outrebounded Virginia 34-22 and had a 18-6 advantage in second chance points. The Pack also enjoyed a 15-5 advantage in fast break points, but for only the second time this season NC State lost the turnover battle as the Pack had 11 turnovers against just seven for UVA.

The Cavaliers shot 56.5 percent in the second half, including 7-of-13 from three-point range. UVA had 12 assists on its 13 second half field goals and only had one turnover in the final 20 minutes.

NC State is back in action Saturday when it travels to Winston-Salem for a matchup at Wake Forest. Tipoff against the Demon Deacons is scheduled for noon and the game will be televised on The CW.